Page 9 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

S he killed someone. Oh god, she actually killed a person. Not an animal, not a monster, but a living breathing person. And not just anyone, but the steward to the queens of another kingdom. What had she done?

And the way he died, the gurgles and gasps; the blood pouring from his throat. Just like Eleanor. Her best friend who had died in almost the same way.

Her fingers ached as her grip tightened on the rock, barely able to feel the sharp edges cutting into her palm.

Her trembling increased, hypothermia and the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She couldn’t move. Couldn’t do anything but gape in shock at the body on the ground, blood dripping along the cracks of the stone floor like a macabre painting.

Barefoot in her nightgown, she stood frozen to her spot.

Shouts sounded and the door burst open, boots echoing in the cave as people ran to the scene. Multiple voices floated around her, but Ava could hardly make them out. And she couldn’t look away from Corvus.

Casimir appeared before her and gripped her face .

“Ava,” he said. “Ava, look at me.”

“Oh, fuck is that Corvus?” Raine’s voice sounded behind Casimir.

“Come on. Eyes on me,” Casimir tried again.

Her eyes flicked to his. Panic was written on his face as he took her in.

“Are you hurt? What happened?”

“I—he…I don’t—I k-killed him,” she barely got out through the chattering of her teeth. She was so cold.

“Okay. Everything’s alright. You’re safe now,” he said.

“Your lips are blue. We need to get you warm.” His voice was gentle as he stroked her cheek and pushed her hair behind her shoulder.

He reached down and pried open her hand.

“Give me the rock, princess.” She let go and he tossed it to the ground.

“I need to take your wet clothing off. Right now.”

His statement barely registered but she nodded, unable to control her violent shivering.

“Everyone close your eyes,” Casimir demanded, then turned to Pax who was inspecting the scene. “Give me your cloak. Now .”

Pax did as he said, and Casimir draped the cloak over his arm as he eased the nightgown over Ava’s head. She was wearing nothing underneath, but his eyes didn’t wander, staying on her face the entire time. He threw the cloak around her and pulled it tight.

“Handle this, Raine,” he ordered as he scooped her up.

“On it.”

He gripped her as he climbed the stairs, whispering she was safe, he was here. That he wouldn’t let anyone harm her. She nuzzled into his warmth and closed her eyes, gripping the cloak.

“I’m c-c-cold,” she whispered.

“I know. Hang on. We’re almost there.”

They made it to the suite and Casimir set her on the couch before rushing into his bedroom and returning with several blankets.

He pulled the couch as close to the fireplace as possible and removed his shirt before sitting down.

Reaching for Ava, he unwrapped the cloak, but kept his eyes away from her nudity as he pulled her into his lap before wrapping them both in several blankets.

He pushed her hair out of her face. “I’m sorry but you need body heat. It’s the fastest way to get you warm.” She didn’t care. Barely even noticed her nudity as she nestled into the crook of his neck, still trembling. He was so warm. She inhaled and sighed into his soft skin.

“Where are you injured?”

Her muscles were so tense her whole body ached as she tried to remember. “I think…he stabbed me. I don’t think it’s deep…and my head? I think. He—he hit me.”

Casimir tensed, gripping her tighter. “He hit you?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Slammed my head in-into the wall.”

He cleared his throat. “Okay. We’ll get your injuries addressed once you’re warm,” he said, attempting to hide the obvious fury in his voice.

“I—the blood. I have to wash it off. So much blood. Oh, god I killed him…” The words came spilling out.

“They were going to kill you. I couldn’t—the chains.

The blood. I called for help. Then—then it came.

It helped me. I did what Quinn taught me.

” She tilted her head to look at him. “I did it. I slit his throat…Oh…oh no. I killed him…”

“Shhh…you did well, princess,” he murmured as he laid her head back down on his chest, pulling her closer. “You did exactly what you were supposed to do. You’re still in shock. Let’s get you warm and then you can tell me what happened.”

The door opened and Zeph walked in, stopping in front of them. “Raine’s handling everything. Meeting with the queens now.” She looked at Ava. “Is she okay?”

“She will be,” Casimir said .

“General,” Zeph said tentatively. “The queens are upset. We need to know what happened. They’re saying killing a member of their court is an act of war.”

“Tell them a member of their court attacking our royalty is an act of war,” he snarled back.

She held her hands up. “Understood,” she said as she turned and walked toward the door.

“Find me some hot tea,” he called after her.

“On it.”

Ava had stopped shaking, leaning into Casimir’s warmth. Feeling was returning to her fingers and toes and her body temperature was rising. She inhaled his scent again and closed her eyes while his hand tenderly stroked her hair.

They remained silent for a long time before Zeph returned with a tray, setting it down on the table in front of the couch, poured a cup and handed it to Casimir.

“Raine’s on his way up,” she informed. “I’m sorry but they need answers.”

Casimir nodded and Zeph left again.

“Drink this,” he said softly as he held the teacup for her.

Ava lifted her head, and he tilted the warm liquid into her mouth.

Her shock had worn off and she was finally warm.

But she didn’t want to move from Casimir’s lap.

Didn’t want this to end. The tender caresses and sweet words.

She always felt safe with him. Even when they argued, even when they’d first met.

Somehow, deep down, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her.

And safety was what she needed since the day she’d stepped foot in Eorhan.

Raine walked in and sat in a chair across from them, worry in his eyes.

“Ava. We need to know what happened.”

“When she’s ready,” Casimir said.

“Cas…” Raine began.

“I’m ready.” Ava sat up, remaining in Casimir’s lap .

He pulled the blankets tighter around her. She took a deep breath and told them everything.

“Wait…hold on,” said Raine. “You called an ocean drake? And it didn’t eat you?”

She had moved from Casimir’s lap and was leaning against the arm of the couch, wrapped in blankets and clutching the tea in her hands. Her legs were draped over his and his hand rested on her shin, thumb moving in slow circles as she spoke.

“No. It carried me to shore.”

“How?” asked Raine.

“I think Ava has extra abilities with animals,” said Casimir. “You’ve seen how all our companions responded to her. Remember how friendly Aro was when they first met?”

“Right. And when I was at Deidamia’s camp, there were these mice that seemed to understand me too. They led me to a cave where I hid out the first night. You all can’t do that?”

“No,” said Raine, crossing an ankle over his knee. “We can only communicate directly with our companion. Sometimes certain animals are calm around us, but no one can summon random wildlife like that.”

“How did you find me?” Ava asked them.

“Actually, it was Gisela,” said Raine. “She said her raven told her something was wrong and to head to that specific dock. She came and woke us.”

“I saw the raven. He was there.”

“Incredible.” Raine rose from his seat. “Alright, I’m going to smooth things over with Astrid and Soren. Once they learn Corvus was working for Andras this whole time, our alliance will be fine.”

Raine left the suite and Casimir turned to her. “Let’s get you cleaned up and I’ll treat your injuries.”

She rose and kept the blanket wrapped around herself, following him into her bedroom and adjoining bathroom. He ran the bath, checking the water temperature and pouring in a floral scented oil. Once the tub was filled, he turned toward her.

“I’ll be right here in your room if you need anything,” he said and left.

Dropping the blankets, she was about to step into the deep stone tub when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

Dried blood caked the hair above her forehead where Corvus had smashed her head into the wall.

She had a black eye, already starting to swell, and a split lip.

Corvus’ blood coated her shoulders and had splattered her arms and legs.

Bruises were already forming on various parts of her body, her knees were scraped, and everything hurt.

She turned away and climbed into the tub, sinking below the water as she tried not to replay the events of the last couple of hours in her mind. But as she scrubbed her battered arms, the dam broke and she released her tears with a sob.